Couplers of the plug and socket type



, 1960 R. HANSEN COUPLERS OF THE PLUG AND socxm TYPE Nov. 15

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 7, 1957 INVEA/TUR Nov. 15, 1960 v R, HANSEN2,960,675

* COUPLERS OF THE PLUG AND SOCKET TYPE Filed Feb. 7, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet2 WVEA/TJR Nov. 15, 1960 R. HANSEN COUPLERS OF THE PLUG AND SOCKET TYPE4 Sheets -Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 7, 1957 mull-Illa a l 1 'YIIII-IIIIIH HINVENTUR COUPLERS OF THE. PLUG AND SOCKET TYPE Filed Feb. 7, 1957 4Sheets-Sheet 4 //vv/v 70/2 J5? Ham en United States Patent COUPLERS OFTHE PLUG AND SOCKET TYPE Roger Hansen, Wiesbaden, Germany, assignor toBayerische Schraubenund Federnfabrikcn Richard Bergner, Nurnberg,Germany, and Kabelwerk Vohwinkel A.G., Wuppertal-Vohwinkel, GermanyFiled Feb. 7,1957, Ser. No. 638,825

Claims priority, application Germany Feb. 8, 1956 11 Claims. (Cl.339-49) This invention relates to couplers of the plug and socket typefor telephone cables, in which the pins and the sockets are arrangedperpendicularly with respect to the cable axis.

Couplers of the plug and socket type for telephone cables are usually soconstructed that both the plugs and the sockets align with the axis ofthe cable. Among other factors this has the disadvantage that theconnecting means must necessarily be of rugged construction to hold thetwo co-operating halves of the coupler together against the pull of thecable.

Couplers have therefore already been developed in which both the plugsand the socket are arranged perpendicularly with respect to the cableaxes. However, the objection to this type of coupler is that the cableends are relatively oifset so that a pull acting on the coupler tends tocant the device in a manner liable to deform it, or at least to kink thecables where they enter the coupler.

It is the object of the present invention to avoid these defects.Furthermore, it is proposed by the invention to construct the coupler insuch a way that it is easy and simple to handle and that its internalparts. are protected from the influence of the Weather.

The invention therefore relates to cable coupling devices, i.e. couplersof the plug and socket type for telephone cables, in which the pins andthe sockets are disposed perpendicularly with respect to the cable axis,and consists in that the two halves in the form of cable connectorswhich combine to form the coupler have oliset co-operating ends so thatthe axes of the cable ends entering the coupler halves willsubstantially align in the" plane of the parting surface between the twocooperating oifset' parts of the coupler which carry the pins and/orsockets. The connection between the two halves of the coupler isconveniently secured by at least one rotatable but axially notdisplace'able locking ring mounted on one of the co-operating halves andforming a bayonet catch with one or more projections or the like on theother co-operating half of the coupler. Preferably one locking ring isarranged concentrically about lsirable feature because the large numberof plugs and sockets incorporated inthecoupler often oifrconsiderableresistance to their disconnection.

It is a particular advantage if the coupler is so contrived that it has.the shape of a body of revolution about the cable axis, a form ofconstruction in which both cooperating members may be identicallycongruent'bodies. The invention relates not only to couplers in whichice instance, if it is desired to connect an odd number of cable lengthsthe order of the conductors in the cable at the end of the line will bereversed in relation to their order at the beginning, an undesirablefeature. By inserting an intermediate connector the order of theconductors wires at the end of the line will be the same as at thebeginning. Finally, the invention also relates to protective caps forcovering the co-operating members of the coupler before the coupledcable lengths are wound on to a drum and thus to protect the other: wiseexposed and sensitive contact elements of the connectors from damage, aswell as from dirt, and moisture.

Further features of the invention will be referred to in the course ofthe following description of an embodiment of the invention and in thepatent claims.

In the drawings which represent an illustrative example of theinvention,

Figure 1 shows an axial longitudinal section through one half of thecoupler with the associated protective cap indicated by a dottedoutline;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same but with the locking ring 11 and thecap 22 omitted;

Figure 3 is a side view of the same without the internal assembly 3,

Figure 4 is a section taken on the line IV-IV in Figure l with theinternal assembly omitted,

Figure 5 is a section taken on the line VV in Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a section on the line VI-VI in Figure 1,

Figure 7 is the section shown in Figure 4 with the internal assembly inplace,

Figure 8 is an appliance cable coupler shown partly in section, partlyin side elevation, as indicated by VIIIVIII in Figure 10,

Figure 9 is a view of the same in the direction indicated by arrow IX inFigure 8, a

Figure 10 is a section on the line X-X in Figure 8, and

Figure 11 is an intermediate connector, shown on a smaller scale.

The body of each cable connector constituting half of the cable couplingdevice has an offset portion. The end 10: is cylindrical and concentricwith the axis of the relative cable end 2, whereas the end 1b is adaptedfor the reception of an inserted unit 3 which carries, on the one hand,seven pairs of contact springs 3a and, on the other hand, seven pairs ofcontact pins 3b. When the two halves of the coupler are fitted togethereach pair of pins 3b in one half of the coupler will embrace one pair ofsprings 3a in the other half of the coupler. Each spring and each pin isconnected with a contact sleeve 4 and the individual wires of the cable2 which, though not shown in the drawing, pass into the cavity 1c andare soldered or screwed on to the said sleeves. The inserted assemblies3 are held in position by screws 10 or the like. The centre axis of theassembly 3 and of the relative recess 5 in the end 1b of the coupler isat right angles to the axis of the cable end 2. The produced axis ofcable 2 passes through the surface 6 on to which the identicalco-operating half of the coupler can be placed. To transmit the pull ofthe cable from one half of the coupler to the other, the end of eachhalf of the coupler is equipped with pins 7 adapted to engage withcorresponding recesses 8 in the co-operating'half of the coupler.Moreover, a gasket 9 encircles there- -the depressions 24a).

cess 5, the gaskets associated with each half of the coupler fittingclosely together when the coupler is connected and thus forming a tightjoint which seals the hollow created by the two coupler halves. Theexternal shape of the coupler is such that in addition to the two ends1a being of cylindrical shape the two offset portions 1b, when fittedtogether, likewise combine to produce a cylindrical outer surface aboutan axis which coincides with the axes of both cable ends 2. In otherwords, the axis of the coupled cables will exactly align. The two halvesof the coupler including their inserted inner assemblies are thuscompletely congruent.

. To hold the two halves of the coupler firmly together each half isequipped with a locking ring 11 which cooperates with a pin 25 on thecooperating half of the coupler. The locking ring 11 can be rotated onthe cylindrical part 1a and is secured against axial displacement by agrub screw 12 in ring 11. The tapering end 1211 of the grub screwengages a correspondingly tapering trough-shaped groove 13 in thecoupler and thereby prevents the locking ring from shifting in the axialdirection whilst permitting the ring to be rotated. The taper end of thegrub screw 12a also permits the position of the locking ring on thecoupler body 1a to be adjusted, more particularly it allows the lockingring to be pushed more or less tightly against the shoulder 14 on thebody of the coupler or to leave a greater or lesser clearance betweenring and shoulder. This clearance should be as small as possible toprevent penetration by moisture. On the other hand, the locking ringshould not be forced too tightly against the shoulder and therebyprevented from freely rotating. The hole containing the grub screw maybe sealed with a suitable cement 12b to prevent the screw from workingloose once the correct position for the ring has been set. Asillustrated more particularly in Figure the locking ring is furtherprovided with a spiral groove 15 which has an entrance at 15a on theoutside surface of the ring, which permits the pin 25 to slip into thegroove 15 when the two halves of the coupler are fitted together. Thelocking ring 11 is further provided with a cylindrical groove 15d forthe reception of another pin 16a on the co-operating half of thecoupler, as will be seen by reference to Figure 6. The cylindrical part1a of each half of the coupler holds the cable after this has beenstripped of its rubber sheathing or the like and its metal braidingwhich takes the tensile load has been bared. The bared end 20 is held ina cable sleeve 16 of which the interior has a recess 17 with taperingends. This tapered recess is filled with soft solder or some othersuitable medium such as a synthetic resin introduced through openings18. The cable sleeve 16 is retained in the cylindrical interior of thebody of the coupler 1a by means of a nut 19 with an external thread 19afor tightening the sleeve against a projecting shoulder 20 in the bodyof the coupler. At the entry end the cable is sealed by an elastic ring21 pressed by a screw-on cap 22 and a washer 23 against the nut 19 sothat the resultant expansion of its radial section will ensure theformation of a tight joint between the cable 2 and the cylindrical innerwall of the end 1a of the coupler half.

The locking ring is adapted to be rotatable through an angle of at least90. A spherical elevation 24 may be provided for engagement with aco-operating depression 24a in the body lb of the coupler when thelocking ring 11 is in its end position.

When the two halves of the coupler have been fitted together the pull ofthe cable will be transmitted exclusively through the projecting pins 7.The locking means 11, 25 are entirely relieved of the load. The twocoupler halves are locked together by turning the two locking rings 11into the position in which they will be retained by the sphericalelevations (which engage with In this position the two halves arepressed firmly together so that the gaskets 9 form a tightly sealedjoint. Disconnection of the coupler is facilitated by turning back "thetwo locking rings 11, the pins 25 hearing not against the side 1512 ofgroove 15 which produces the compressive load but against the oppositeside of the groove 15.

The individual wires which emerge freely from the end 2a of the cableextend through the cavity 10 to the points 4 where they are soldered onto the contact springs. To prevent the wires from being shaken about inthis cavity it is advisable to fill the latter with a foamed material.This can be done either by inserting cut strips of foamed material intothe cavity 10, or by injecting the foamed material after the cable hasbeen secured and the wires soldered to the sleeves, and by allowing thematerial to solidify with the formation of small bubbles.

It will be readily understood that the illustrated embodiment can bemodified in various ways. For instance the invention would permit thetwo coupler halves to be secured by means of a single locking ringarranged with its axis coinciding with the centre axis of the recess 5.In this case the pins 25 would have to be located accordingly. However,such an arrangement would open to the objection that it would not permitthe two coupler halves to be identical in every respect since one halfwould have to carry the locking ring and the other half would carry thepins.

Alternatively, the illustrated form of construction might be modified inthat the pins 25 were not arranged to engage the groove 15 in the radialdirection but constructed to be displaceable in the axial direction withrespect to the coupler and to be brought into engagement with the grooveafter the two halves had been fitted together, whereupon a turn given tothe locking ring would press the two halves together in the manneralready described. For separating the two halves of the coupler thelocking ring would then first be turned back, whereupon it would benecessary for the pins 25 to be retracted.

The protector cap 1] indicated in dotted lines in Figure 1 issubstantially equipped with similar connecting means as thoseincorporated in the coupler proper, but it naturally contains nointernal assembly. However, with due regard to the purpose of the cap 1the locking ring takes the form of a cup 11b.

In the coupler for appliancesillustrated in Figures 8 to 10 thereference numerals correspond with those used to indicate the equivalentparts in Figures 1 to 7. The body 30 of the appliance coupler, likewisefitted with an internal assembly 3, is however, provided with a foot 30awhich has an open base and which can be pushed on to a distributor boardor the like. To this end four holes 31 serve for the reception of screwsfor securing the body 30. The locking cup 11a roughly correponds withthe locking cup 11b (Figure 1 in dotted outline), since no provisionneed be made (for the passage of a cable, the cable connections enteringthe cavity 30b in the coupler foot directly from the distributor boardor the like.

The intermediate connector or interconnector shown in Figure 11comprises two members 32 each of which roughly corresponds with a plugand socket coupler as shown in Figures 1 to 3. These two members areinterconnected by the intermediate connector 33 proper. A tight joint atthe two cylindrical ends 32a of the bodies 32 is created by a sealingring 34. A cable not specially shown passes through the cylindrical ends32a and connects the internal assemblies, likewise not shown, inside thetwo members 32.

I claim:

1. A cable connector having two end portions .of which one comprises achamber adapted to accommodate a cable sleeve and the other comprises aflat face containing the prolonged axis of the cable sleeve, a recess insaid face and a projection extending outwards from,

said face adapted to engage with a corresponding recess of another cableconnector, electrical contact members supported in the end portionhaving the fiat face, and a locking ring rotatably but axially immovablysupported on the end comprising the chamber, said ring being providedwith a fiat radial surface at right angles to the axis of the ring, andwith a spirally curved groove in said radial surface.

2. A cable coupling device including a cable connector having two endportions of which one comprises a chamberadapted-to accommodate a cablesleeve and the other comprises a flat face containing the prolonged axisof the cable sleeve, a recess in said face and a projection extendingoutwards from said face, electrical contact members supported in the endportion having the fiat face, a locking ring rotatably but axiallyimmovably supported on the end comprising the chamber, said ring beingprovided with a flat radial surface at right angles to the axis of thering, and with a spirally curved groove in said radial surface, and asecond connector having a fiat face adapted to lie in contact with thatof the first connector, a projection adapted to enter the recess of thefirst connector during movement of the two flat faces towards and intocontact with one another, a recess adapted to receive the projection 'ofthe first connector during said movement, electrical contact membersadapted to enter into sliding engagement with those of the firstconnector during said movement, a flat end surface on the secondconnector and at right angles to said flat face of the second connector,a pin projecting outwards from said end surface and adapted toco-operate with the groove, when the ring is rotated, so as to move theprojections, recesses and contacts of the two connectors into engagementwith one another in a direction at right angles to the axis of the cablesleeve.

-3. A connector as claimed in claim 1, comprising spring-loadedretaining means extending from said flat radial surface and adapted toengage depressions in the end portion having the flat face to hold thelocking ring in its two end positions.

4. A connector as claimed in claim 3, wherein said spring-loadedretaining means is a ball.

5. A cable connector having two end portions of which one comprises achamber adapted to accommodate a cable sleeve and the other comprises aflat face containing the prolonged axis of the cable sleeve, a recess insaid face and a projection extending outwards from said face adapted toengage with a corresponding recess of another cable connector,electrical contact members supported in the end portion having the fiatface, a locking ring rotatably but axially immovably supported on theend comprising the chamber, said ring being provided with a flat radialsurface at right angles to the axis of the ring, and with a spirallycurved groove in said radial surface, comprising a threaded hole in thelocking ring, a grub screw threaded into said hole and having a taperingpoint, and a circular groove formed in the connector and adapted toreceive the tapering point of the grub screw, said groove having atapering troughshaped radial sectional shape corresponding to the shapeof the point of the grub screw.

6. A cable connector having two end portions of which one comprises achamber adapted to accommodate a cable sleeve and the other comprises afiat face containing the prolonged axis of the cable sleeve, a recess insaid face and a projection extending outwards from said face adapted toengage with a corresponding recess in another cable connector, a flatend surface at right angles to said face, and a pin projecting outwardsfrom said flat end surface, electrical contact members supported in theend portion having the flat face, and a locking ring rotatably butaxially immovably supported on the end comprising the chamber, said ringbeing provided With a flat radial surface at right angles to the axis ofthe ring, and with a groove in said radial surface, said" extendingoutwards from said face adapted to engage with a corresponding recess inanother cable connector, a flat end surface at right angles to saidface, and a pin projecting outwards from said flat end surface,electrical contact members supported in the end portion having the flatface, and a locking ring rot-atab-ly but axially immovably supported onthe end comprising the chamber, said ring being provided with a flatradial surface at right anglestto the axis of the ring, and with agroove in said radial surface, said groove comprising a spirallycurvedfirst portion and a shorter second portion extending to" theoutside edge of the ring, inwhich the flat faces of the two connectorsare adapted to lie in contact with one another and the projection ofeach connector is adapted to enter the recess of the other connectorduring movement of the two fiat faces towards and into con-- tact withone another, and the electrical contact members, of the two connectorsare adapted to enter into sliding engagement with one another duringsaid movement, and the pin on each connector is adapted to enter thefirst portion of the groove on the ring of the other connector throughthe second portion of said groove and to co-operate with said firstportion, when the ring is rotated, so as to move the projections,recesses and contacts of the two connectors into engagement with oneanother in a direction at right angles to the axes of the cable sleeves.

8. A cable connector as claimed in claim 6, further including a terminalconnector adapted to be attached to a terminal box and co-operate withthe cable connector, said terminal connector having a flat face adaptedto lie in contact with that of the cable connector, a projection adaptedto enter the recess of the cable connector during movement of the twofiat faces towards and into contact with one another, a recess adaptedto receive the projection of the cable connector during said movement,electrical contact members adapted to enter into sliding engagement withthose of the cable connector during said movement, a flat end surface atright angles to said flat face, a pin projecting outwards from said endsurface, and a rotatable but axially immovable locking ring providedwith a flat radial surface at right angles to the axes of the ring andwith a groove in said radial surface, said groove comprising a spirallycurved first portion and a shorter second portion extending to theoutside edge of the ring, and the pin on each connector being adapted toenter the first portion of the groove in the ring of the other connectorthrough the second portion of said groove and to co-operate with saidfirst portion, when the ring is rotated, so as to move the projections,recesses and contacts of the twoconnectors into engagement with oneanother in a direction at right angles to the axis of the cable sleeve.

9. A cable connector as claimed in claim 6, further including aprotective cap adapted to cooperate with the cable connector, said caphaving a fiat face adapted to lie in contact with that of the cableconnector, a projection adapted to enter the recess of the cableconnector during movement of the two flat faces towards and into contactwith one another, a recess adapted to receive the projection of thecable connector during said movement, a fiat end surface at right anglesto said face, a pin projecting outwards from said surface and arotatable but axially immovable locking ring provided with a flat radialsurface at right angles to the axis of the ring and with a groove insaid radial surface, said groove comprising a spirally curved firstportion and a shorter second portion extending to the outside edge ofthe ring, and the pin on the connector and that on the cap being adaptedto enter the first portion of the groove in the ring of the cap and inthat of the ring of the connector, respectively, through the secondportion of said groove and to cooperate with the first portion, when thering is rotated, so as to move the projections and recesses of the capand connector into engagement with one another in a direction at rightangles to that of the cable sleeve.

10. A cable connector comprising two interconnector halves, a tubularmember mechanically interconnecting said halves, and a short length ofcable enclosed within said halves and said tubular member, in which eachinterconnector half comprises a flat face containing the prolonged axisof said length of cable, a recess in said face and a projectionextending outwards from said face, a flat end surface at right angles tosaid face, a pin projecting outwards from said end surface, a cavity inthe flat face, electrical contact members supported in the cavity andelectrically connected to said length of cable, and a rotatable butaxially immovable locking ring provided with a fiat radial surface atright angles to the axis of the ring and with a groove in said radialsurface, said groove comprising a spirally curved first portion and ashorter second portion extending to the outside surface of the ring.

11. An interconnector comprising two interconnector halves, a tubularmember mechanically interconnecting said halves, and a short length ofcable enclosed within said halves and said tubular member, in which eachinterconnector half comprises a fiat face containing the prolonged axisof the length of cable, a recess in said face and a projection extendingoutwards from said face adapted to engage with a corresponding recess ina mating half, a cavity in the flat face and electrical contact membersupported in the cavity and electrically connected to the length ofcable.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,234,840 Weston July 31, 1917 1,559,683 Douglas Nov. 3, 1925 1,916,488Parrish July 4, 1933 1,975,467 Livingston Oct. 2, 1934 2,009,090 LittleJuly 23, 1935 2,521,822 Boswell Sept. 12, 1950 2,533,763 Oacciotti Dec.12, 1950 2,669,702 Klosterrnann Feb. 16, 1954 2,703,870 Minto Mar. 8,1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 632,052 Great Britain Nov. 15, 1949

